BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Police Force has not yet issued tickets to individuals who violate the national mandate to wear masks in public, because they have not yet been printed.
That disclosure came during this week's National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) media brief, where Superintendent Cromwell Henry was asked to address the issue of ticketing, where he noted that they are not issuing any at this point.
Instead, the Superintendent explained, this current period is being used to educate and sensitised the populace on the importance of the wearing of masks.
Under the ticketing rule, anyone found not wearing a mask in public or within public spaces would be ticketed or fined EC$500, and if the matter is taken to court and one were deemed guilty he or she could be fined up to EC$5,000.
“We know the wearing of masks is a new phenomenon for most people. A couple of months ago it was an offence to wear a mask and now in COVID it is an offence not to wear a mask. And so people would have to have time to adjust to that and we have been more than reasonable,” the ‘A’ Division Commander explainted.
But concerns were expressed in some quarters as to whether the Police Force has the power to issue ticketed fines for a non-traffic offence.
However, Henry told reporters that recently a discussion was held on adjusting the ticketing fines but “tickets have not been printed yet”.
He said they are hopeful of having them be ready when the Government’s new COVID-19 legislation is passed into law.
That Bill had its first reading and the Government has not given a timeframe for the next reading and debate.
“We hope that we do not have to be issuing any tickets. That is the last thing we want to do, but we prefer for persons to comply with the law and wear the mask to protect themselves,” Henry urged.
